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United States Department of Agriculture
Natural Resources Conservation Service
9173 W. Barnes Dr., Suite C
Boise, Idaho 83709
 
For More Information:

Ron Abramovich, 208/378-5741 or
Phil Morrisey, 208/685-6983



Dry Conditions Put Damper on Idaho’s Water Supply Outlook

Boise, Idaho, February 6, 2007— A drier than normal January has now turned Idaho’s promising water supply outlook into a below average snow season filled with uncertainties.  The Water Supply Outlook Report released today by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), shows precipitation and snowpack as of February 1, 2007 at below average levels throughout most of Idaho.

“The encouraging news is that Idaho has good reservoir storage and saturated soils from last fall’s rains,” said Ron Abramovich, NRCS water supply specialist.  “Good reservoir storage will provide some insurance in case there isn’t any more snow, while saturated soils will allow snowmelt to runoff into the streams instead of being absorbed into the ground.”

Most of Idaho received minimum amounts of precipitation in January.  Precipitation amounts ranged from 50 percent of average in the Henrys Fork and Upper Snake to 30 percent in the Weiser, Boise, Little Wood, Big Lost and Owyhee basins.  Highest January precipitation amounts were in the Idaho Panhandle region and Clearwater basin at 72 percent of average.  

Snowpack averages have dropped significantly to below average levels throughout most areas statewide.  Snowpacks range from 60-75 percent of average throughout most of the state.  Snowpacks remain the highest in the Panhandle region and Clearwater basin at 85-100 percent of average.  In high contrast, the Owyhee basin snowpack is 47 percent of average, the lowest since 1981.

Streamflow forecasts mirror the declining snowpack except in the Panhandle and Clearwater basins, which are forecast at 95-105 percent of average.  The lowest streamflow forecasts are 40-50 percent of average in the Owyhee River, Bear River, Camas Creek, and Big Wood River below Magic Reservoir.  All other streams are forecast at 55-85 percent of average.

“Although blue skies are nice, we need above average precipitation the rest of winter to catch up to normal levels by April 1, which is when the snowpack usually peaks,” said Abramovich. Even with a dismal snowpack, spring rains could change the lagging water supply conditions around for the better, like what happened in May 2005.

Here is a look at the Water Supply Outlook by region:

  • Panhandle Region— January precipitation was 74 percent of average in northern Idaho -- the highest in the state. Snowpacks range from 85 percent of average in the St. Joe and gradually increases northward to 120 percent of average in Moyie basin.  Streams are forecast at 95-105 percent of average with the exception of the Moyie River at 116 percent of average.
     
  • Clearwater River— Precipitation at 70 percent of average in January maintained snowpack levels at 84 percent of average.  April-July streams are forecast at 93-97 percent of average. 
     
  • Salmon River— Precipitation is well below average at 41 percent in January.  Current snowpacks range from 75-80 percent of average and are half of last year’s February 1 levels.  Streams are forecast at 70 percent of average in the Lemhi River and 84 percent of average in the Middle Fork, South Fork and Salmon River at White Bird.
     
  • Weiser, Payette, Boise River—Mountain precipitation was one-third of average, and the Boise airport recorded its second lowest January precipitation amounts on record. Snowpacks decreased from last month, ranging from 72-76 percent of average.  Streamflow forecasts have dropped from last month, ranging from 65--85 percent of average. 
     
  • Wood and Lost River Basins— January brought precipitation amounts that were only 27 percent of average in the Big Wood, Little Wood and Big Lost basins.  The current snowpacks are 60-70 percent of average, which is approximately 40 percent of the average April 1 peak.  This is bad news unless more wet weather and cold temperatures return.  The good news is that reservoir storage and groundwater levels are still high from last year’s runoff.  Streamflow forecasts range from 70 percent in the Big Lost River to 49 percent in Big Wood River.
     
  • Upper Snake River-- January’s precipitation was below average at 49 percent for the entire basin. Snowpack levels range widely at NRCS SNOTEL stations, from 78 percent of normal at Snake River Station in Yellow National Park to 62 percent of average along Hoback and Green rivers.  Streams are forecast at 54 percent of average in the Blackfoot River, 62 percent in American Falls Reservoir, 74 percent in Snake River near Heise and 79 percent for Henrys Fork.
     
  • Southside Snake River—Precipitation in January only reached 34 percent of average. The Owyhee basin snowpack is at 47 percent of average--the lowest in the state. In contrast, Howell Canyon SNOTEL site has a snowpack at 95 percent of average. Streams are forecast at only 40 percent of average for Owyhee Reservoir inflow, and range from 60-70 percent for Bruneau River, Salmon Falls Creek and Oakley Reservoir inflow.
     
  • Bear River—Precipitation amounts have decreased every month since October. January precipitation was only 39 percent of average.  Snowpack is at 64 percent of average--the lowest level since 2003.  Streamflow forecasts range from 80 percent of average in the headwaters of the Bear River to 53 percent for Bear River at Stewart Dam.

For the complete Idaho Water Supply Outlook Report, visit www.id.nrcs.usda.gov/snow and click on the "Water Supply" link.  Please contact Ron Abramovich, 208/378-5741 or Phil Morrisey, 208/685-6983 for additional information.


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